Pennsylvania is prioritizing its rivers, wildlife, and public lands through a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing conservation efforts and encouraging community involvement. The state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recently launched three key programs that invite public participation and provide funding for biodiversity research.
Online voting has opened for Pennsylvania’s 2026 River of the Year, where residents can choose from three nominated waterways until January 16, 2024. The nominees include the Conestoga River in Lancaster County, Chillisquaque Creek in central Pennsylvania, and the lower Schuylkill River, which stretches from Phoenixville to Philadelphia. DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn emphasized that the annual competition showcases the recreational, cultural, and economic significance of rivers while fostering community pride.
The Conestoga River, flowing over 61 miles to the Susquehanna River, offers opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing. Chillisquaque Creek, a 20-mile tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna, traverses four counties and provides diverse outdoor recreational activities across its 112-square-mile watershed. The lower Schuylkill River, spanning 36 miles through the greater Philadelphia area, serves as a vital recreational corridor in southeastern Pennsylvania.
In a related announcement, the Shapiro Administration revealed nearly $530,000 in grants allocated for 15 projects aimed at conserving native biodiversity. These projects cover a range of species, including rare plants, insects, birds, fish, and mammals. The funding is intended to support research that addresses knowledge gaps and informs conservation decisions statewide.
Among the funded projects are initiatives to map the habitat of green salamanders, survey rare stoneflies and aquatic plants, and create Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive firefly inventory. Other studies will assess endangered fish reintroduction and utilize DNA barcoding to catalog native bee diversity. Additionally, some grants will focus on the conservation of prairie warblers, northern harriers, rare fungi, and elusive species like the Allegheny woodrat, which will be monitored using conservation detection dogs.
DCNR officials noted that these grants, administered through the Wild Resource Conservation Program, reinforce the state’s commitment to protecting non-game species and ecosystems for future generations. This initiative aligns with broader investments outlined in the 2025–26 state budget, which increases funding for DCNR, invasive species control, outdoor recreation, and the expansion of state parks.
On December 12, DCNR also announced a leadership change in the Pennsylvania Wilds, appointing Michael Plish as manager of Chapman State Park in Warren County. Plish, who is a native of Moon Township and an environmental science graduate from Clarion University, will oversee the 862-acre park and its popular Chapman Lake, located adjacent to state game lands and the Allegheny National Forest. His experience from multiple state parks and the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps will be instrumental in enhancing stewardship of Chapman, which hosts events such as Warren County Winterfest and serves as a year-round recreation hub.
These initiatives collectively reflect Pennsylvania’s coordinated efforts to engage the public, invest in science-driven conservation, and strengthen the management of the Commonwealth’s natural resources. As the state advances its environmental protection agenda, it recognizes the dual significance of these efforts as both a civic responsibility and an economic asset.
